OTC: Royals Rock Greinke With Boos, Hits & Runs To Add Third Cy Young Scalp In A Week

“Fans want people that want to be here. I don’t think they ever forgot that.”Billy Butler, on why Royals fans remain upset with Zack Greinke for leaving Kansas City, despite Greinke’s success as a Royal, LA TimesGH: Fans and the media alike have reminded us this week how Greinke left Kansas City and how they have no love for him over his request to be traded. 810’s Border Patrol has been especially hard on the Royals former Cy Young winner. Steven St. John stated he is not a fan of any ex-Royals once they don another uniform. Nate Bukaty has held a personal grudge against the right hander ever since Greinke “stole” his latte at the Starbucks counter and then told him it was terrible. I have a hard time working up any anger for any former Royals who did not want to be stuck in KC and lose 100 games a season. Us Royals fans are kind of stuck. We are geographically bound to this team. I understand why a professional athlete would want more than 29 years of futility.

“I don’t know. I was pretty rude on the way out. They have every right to be mad at me. I didn’t want to be rude. I felt I had to be in order to get traded, and I wanted to get traded.” Zack Greinke, in his postgame comments about being booed by his former fans at The K, LA TimesGH: There is a LOT here in these few sentences. Greinke wanted to win and he let everyone know that he did not see the Royals winning during his prime. He was rudely honest – but honest just the same. I like honest. Greinke is far more honest than the Royals will ever be. Like those $10 seats for tonight’s game they marketed over the weekend? They are actually over $13 each because of a “convenience fee” that somehow was not part of the marketing campaign.

“They’re playing good now. You knew it was going to take time, and now is the time, it seems like.”Zack Greinke, on how his former team has improved, LA TimesGH: Our time?

“I’m not a psychologist.”Zack Greinke, when asked after the game why he thinks Royals fans have both cheered and booed him as an opposing player, 810 AMGH: My early pick for the understatement of the season.

“Zack Greinke being Zack Greinke, to me tonight he was somewhat ordinary.”Jeff Montgomery, Fox Sports KCGH: Greinke explained that he thought he was too fine in his last outing, throwing 116 pitches in just six innings. He wanted to throw more strikes this time out and the Royals took advantage of this plate coverage. But Greinke has been anything but ordinary most of this season. Monday was the first time this season he has given up more than four runs in a game.

“Jarrod Dyson is one of my favorite interviews. He is steadily becoming one of my favorite players to watch. He’s been dialed in lately.”Johnny Kane, @johnnykaneKMBC, TwitterGH: How does a member of the media balance enjoying interviewing an athlete he/she covers but also reporting and covering that same athlete critically? I think it can be done. I just think it’s a tough dance for most in the media.

“How many pitchers have thrown 2 no-hitters in a row? The Royals have that going for them.”Johnny Coltrane, @Chief_Wildcat, on the Royals facing the Dodgers Clayton Kershaw tonight in his first start following his no hitter, Twitter

“In those three games against Cy Young winners so far, the Royals have scored 22 earned runs in 15 2/3 innings.”Joel Goldberg, on the Royals beating Verlander, Scherzer and Greinke in the past week, Fox Sports KCGH: If the Royals knock of Kershaw tonight, that has to be worth something historic, doesn’t it? Has any other MLB team defeated four former Cys in eight days?

“After Royals wins, they light a neon sign in the clubhouse of a ‘Texas heart shot,’ apparently the term for shooting a deer through the ass.”Kent Babb, @kentbabb, TwitterGH: When you get insight like this, are we sure we needed to change The K’s sing-along song from Garth’s Friends In Low Places? BTW, I don’t see a lot of people singing along during the playing of Journey’s Don’t Stop Believing. I think they want to, it’s just a matter of the fact the song takes some upper register that most folks can’t scale. I also think we need Steve Perry to record some new lyrics – like replace “Detroit” with “Born and raised in South K. C.” I would sing along to that. It would also help to create a video to run with the song that paired local photos with the lyrics. It wouldn’t be too hard to match “Up and down the boulevard” with some photos and a sponsor. And the lyrics, “Some were born to sing the BLUES,” should be belted out at The K like Red Sox fans yell “Sweet Caroline.”

“I wonder where your scorn is for Eric Hosmer – because he just looks terrible at the plate. And they just moved him up to second in the lineup. If you listen to the talk shows, you don’t hear a lot of scorn for him. They treat him like the wonder kid. I would have to think if you were Billy Butler or Mike Moustakas, that would have to get a little bit old. It just doesn’t seem that Eric Hosmer has the same amount of scrutiny as those other guys.” Danny Parkins, 610 AMGH: Hosmer is now hitting under .250. He needs to be so much better than he is. He doesn’t attract the same criticism as Butler and Moose because he rarely is as bad for long stretches as these two have been this season. But Hosmer doesn’t have a magic invisibility cloak over his stats. If his play (and shoulder) continues to dip, he will be just as hunted by the critics as Moose.

“Eric Hosmer last drew a walk on Friday the 13th. That was 45 at bats ago. Memories.” Jeffrey Flanagan, @jflanagankc, Twitter

“11 hits in 23 at bats for Bubba w/ 2-2b,3b and 2 HR in that stretch. Hitting .210 now.” Clint Scoles, @ClintScoles, TwitterGH: Come on, Bubba! As a Nebraska fan, I am cheering for you to wear Royals blue, not Husker red.

“I’m not (into the World Cup). I would overload with sports I think if I added soccer to my list.”Denny Matthews, radio voice of the Royals for 45 seasons, responding to Danny Parkins asking if he is into the World Cup, 610 AMGH: Can you imagine Denny calling a soccer match in extended play? And these World Cup play-by-play guys think they can scream into a mic!

“World Cup ratings prove America embraces World Cup. Hasn’t, and probably won’t, translate to MLS, because World Cup is a separate entity.”Ray Ratto, @RattoCSN, TwitterGH: We have a skewed view of the MLS’s popularity here in Kansas City. Think back to the Wizards playing at Arrowhead. That is what too many MLS cities still experience when they talk about their MLS teams.

“If USA beats Germany on Thursday then win their first game in the knock out stage they then play on July 4th. Most patriotic day in history?”@TheWorldCup2014, TwitterGH: More patriotic than the Nathan’s hot dog eating contest on Coney Island?

“They’re in the driver’s seat right now. Destiny is in their own hands.”Tony Meola, former Wizards and USA team goal keeper, on team USA’s chances in the World Cup, 810 AMGH: Thursday at 11:00 AM in KC’s Power & Light District should be a bit nutso for a workday. Can 10K soccer fans find a way to play hooky from work? I am betting so.

“This is the 9th straight year the CWS attendance has surpassed 300,000 total. Thanks Omaha for your great support!”Rob Anderson, @_robanderson, TwitterGH: What a stunning success this college baseball tournament has been in the middle of nowhere. I am a bit biased, but Omaha might be the best sports town per capita than all the San Diegos and Denvers you can count.

“I know for the fans it’s more cosmetic. But for me, it’s more about safety, and I’m very pleased about both aspects.”Charlie Weis, regarding Kansas removing the track around Memorial Stadium, Lawrence JournalGH: Removing the track will move Jayhawks fans closer to the action. Hopefully, Charlie will give them something to look this season at that won’t have them shielding their eyes.

“Sources confirm there have been discussions between the Dorial Green-Beckham camp and the University of Oklahoma.”Jordan Burton, @thejordanburton, TwitterGH: Is Barry Switzer back?

“Two number-one seeds have already fallen! Maybe we didn’t do a good job of seeding these (events).”Danny Parkins, reporting early upsets in the Missouri and Royals regions in their Summer Sadden bracket, 610 AMGH: The early casualties to The Drive’s Summer Sadness bracket were the 1994 baseball strike falling to Bo Jackson’s injury and Mizzou’s decision to pick Quin Snyder over Bill Self knocked off Tyus Edney’s top-seeded drive and dagger.

Share this:

Related

About Greg Hall

Software guy who has been writing my Off The Couch column in KC newspapers, publications and websites since 1994. Has been bounced from some of the finest media establishments this side of State Line Road. Dad first and everything else second...and there are a lot of everything elses.

This is where international soccer rules really put a wet towel on the competition, and is the foundation of a lot of the complaints against the sport. All Germany and the U.S. have to do is have a “gentlemen’s agreement” to tie and they both advance. This game is likely to be deadly dull. The ties have to go.

I don’t have a problem with ties in soccer. But for the USA vs Germany game, why wouldn’t each team just stay on their half of the pitch and kick the ball back and forth to each other for the entire length of the game? No risk of injury. Both teams conserve an enormous amount of energy for the knock-out round. I realize how fucked up this is, but convince me it isn’t the BEST strategy for BOTH teams.

Except SKC actually has a season ticket waiting list, something no team in this area other than KU basketball can even dream of. That, plus MLS’s structure, both give SKC the opportunity to be solid to spectacular for a long time to come. I fought it too but dammit Fred, time to get on board.

Isn’t that how it works with all sports teams? If the Royals go back to losing 100 games per year, the attendance will at games will dwindle, TV ratings will disappear, aside from a small group of die-hard fans. Your example of the Chiefs formerly having a waiting list, but not anymore perfectly contradicts your argument about SKC losing fan support if they stop being successful on the field. If the almighty NFL is not immune to this fan fickleness, why should soccer expected to be any different?

Yes, if SKC starts a losing trend, they will also lose fans at the gate – so what’s your point?

Freddy, no offense taken. I’m not one of the “soccer folks”. I watch the world cup every four years and that’s about it. I was just commenting about the strategy of the upcoming game. Germany has nothing to gain by being aggressive and actually trying to win. They are already in. Plus, wouldn’t they rather see USA advance since they aren’t as good as the other teams in the group?

P&L. Perfect place to put those pasty faced communist football watchers. Then they can go back to the cul-de-sac with their 2 ADHD kids and their overpriced house that they can’t afford the 2 mortgages on. Soccer, you’ve shown your colours.

Here’s the the deal with Greinke. Not only did he not see winning in the Royals’ future, but he received criminal nonsupport when he was pitching for them. I don’t have the stats in front of me, but it seemed like the Royals’ puny offense was even punier whenever Greinke pitched. He had to have been tired of pitching his ass off to no avail, especially in the post-Cy year. Enough’s enough, guys. See your sorry ass later. Can’t blame him for wanting to get the hell out of KC.

I don’t begrudge Greinke for wanting off the Royals. He knew the Royals had to trade him and his shot his way off the team to hasten the move.

The Royals were perennial losers and have been perennial losers since he left except for last year. Can’t blame him for wanting to win. I more question guys intentions that seem to have no problem with losing (Butler, Gordon) and going through the motions year and year.

Had the MLB network Dodgers radio (Rick Monday play-by-play and Kevin Kennedy color) feed synced with the television last night to hear a different perspective. A few takeaways:

1) Granted the announcers are ‘old-school’ (a bit of trivia, Rick Monday was the #1 pick in the inaugural MLB draft by the Kansas City Athletics in 1965), but they were about as critical of Puig’s defensive fundamentals as you can probably be while keeping your job. An example; Butler’s SF to right with Cain advancing to third in the 5th and Puig throwing to third and ignoring Gordon the cutoff man really ticked them off. Gordon was complimented for ‘showing some leadership’ when he left both arms up for an exaggerated period of time ensuring Puig did not miss it.

2) Conversely, the announcers were very complimentary of the Royals outfield. Their fundamentals, work ethic and coaching of Rusty Kuntz were mentioned several times (interesting if you think about the ‘crowded’ outfield the Dodgers are dealing with the last couple of years). In fact the way the Royals took the field every half inning as compared to Dodgers was mentioned too.

3) The announcers were very, very impressed with Jeremy Guthrie’s pitching performance.

4) The Royals attendance issues was mentioned.

Going to the game tonight and looking forward to watching both pitchers.

I wouldn’t count on USA beating Germany. But all USA needs is a tie to automatically advance OR a tie in the Ghana/Portugal game would accomplish the same thing (even if USA loses to Germany). As boring as it may be, Thursday is definitely the day to Desire the Draw. We don’t need any damn winners in the Group of Death come Thursday. (Gosh, that sounded so un-American).

Hate to defend soccer, but if the Chiefs were needing a tie or win to go to the playoffs, had the ball with 3 minutes to go in OT…would they try to win??? Or would they just try to run the clock out so they could advance to the playoffs. So the US going for a tie, isn’t “un-American”.

No, you’re completely wrong. The World Cup has two stages: (1) a round robin schedule with eight groups of four teams each where the standings determine who moves to the next round, which is (2) a one loss and you’re out playoff format The NFL does exactly the same thing thing. They have a regular season schedule with eight groups of four teams where the standings determine who goes to the playoffs. That is followed by a one loss and you’re out playoff format.

During the World Cup first stage ties are allowed. During the second stage, there is always a winner. In the NFL during the first stage of the season (the regular season) ties are allowed. During the playoffs there is always a winner

GH: Removing the track will move Jayhawks fans closer to the action. Hopefully, Charlie will give them something to look this season at that won’t have them shielding their eyes.

Removing the track will not bring fans closer, the track is no longer needed with the new world class track facility KU built.
KU is working on plans that will lower the field and bring in more sideline seats closer to the action. Also square off the end zone seats to bring fans closer.

Billy… Believe me.. Greinke feels more pressure and there are more expectations in LA than (you) Billy has ever had or ever will in KC… Billy isn’t qualified to assess Greinke. The fans are also smart enough to know that there was no way that Greinke could have won with the team around him and you were part of the group that proved the fans correct. Teams win with star players at the bat and we have not had one in decades. Billy is not even in the cookie eating Mike Sweeney category. We now have decent nucleus players but no core stars. None. We have lots of guys, including Billy who had tremendous promise but remain inconsistent.